Afrikaans: Die doel van hierdie studie is om deur die gebruikmaking van die insigte van Q¬navorsing die tradisioneel aanvaarde uitgangspunt dat Jesus se etiese uitsprake in terme van 'n apokalipties-eskatologiese raamwerk verstaan moet word, te bevraagteken en daarteenoor te stel dat ons eerder 'n eties-eskatologiese vertrekpunt behoort te veronderstel. Die studie bespreek eerstens die standpunte van etici wat by Jesus 'n apokalipties-eskatologiese perspektief identifiseer en sy etiese uitsprake in terme van so 'n perspektief verstaan. In die navorsing word die temas wat verband hou met tempel, Seun van die Mens, Johannes die Doper en Koninkryk van God (aspekte wat sentraal in die prediking van Jesus staan) gebruik om die standpunte van hierdie tradisionele etici te beskryf en te verduidelik. Die standpunte van Nuwe-Testamentici wat meen dat Jesus se etiek geen eskatologiese konnotasies het nie, word in hoofstuk 3 bespreek. Dieselfde temas wat hierbo gemeld is, word gebruik om die standpunte van die nie¬eskatologiese denkers te verwoord. Hoofstuk 4 fokus op die Spreuke-Evangelie Q. Die ondersoek in hierdie verband bou voort op die navorsing van J S Kloppenborg oor die stratifikasie van Jesus¬tradisies in Q. Die studie toon dat daar in die eerste laag van Q (die stratum die naaste aan die historiese Jesus), nie apokaliptiese trekke aanwesig is nie. Hierdie bevinding bevestig die grond vir die twyfel rakende die tradisionele etici se oortuiging dat 'n apokaliptiese eskatologie die perspektief vorm van waaruit Jesus sy etiese onderwysings uitgespreek het . Vervolgens word 'n alternatiewe perspektief in die plek van die apokalipties¬eskatologiese voorgestel. Jesus se verwysing na die "Koninkryk van God" word verstaan as verwysende na 'n alternatiewe lewenstyl in die teenswoordige lewe van Jesus se volgelinge. In hoofstuk 6 word geargumenteer dat daar wel by Jesus van 'n eskatologie sprake is, maar dan gedefinieer as 'n etiese eskatologie. Die inhoud van so 'n etiese perspektief word verduidelik met behulp van die resultate van die navorsing van J S Kloppenborg, J D Crossan en R A Horsley. In hoofstuk 7 word twee gedeeltes, te wete Q 13:18-19 ) die gelykenis van die mosterdsaad) en Q 17:18-20, 31-35 (die metaforiese uitspraak oor die kinders op die markplein an aanleiding van ‘n navraag deur Johanes die Doper), eksegeties bespreek. Die doel van hierdie bespreking is om aan te toon hoe hierdie uitsprake van Jesus vanuit ‘n eties-eskatologiese perspektief gelees kan word en hoe so ‘n interpretasie verskil van ‘n etiek wat Jesus se uitsprake in terme van ‘n apokalipties-eskatologiese raamwerk verstaan. In die laaste hoofstuk word die insigte van hierdie studie eietyds toegepas deur Jesus se etiek te beskryf as ‘n subversiewe wysheid wat heelwat hedendaagse kerklike konvensies en gebruike krities bevraagteken. English: Drawing on the insights of Q research, the purpose of this study is to question the traditionally accepted position that Jesus' ethical sayings are to be understand in terms of an apocalyptic framework. It is argued that an ethical-eschatological point of departure is rather to be discerned in Jesus' teachings. The study first sketches the positions of those ethicists whose readings discern in Jesus' teachings an apocalyptic-eschatological point of departure and who understand his ethical sayings in terms of the latter. The themes temple, Son of Man, John the Baptist and Kingdom of God (aspects central to the preaching of Jesus) are used to spell out the positions of these traditional ethicists. Then, in chapter 3, the study outlines positions - opposed to the above¬mentioned ones - of New Testament scholars who view Jesus' sayings as not being eschatological at all. The study, again, makes use of the themes mentioned above in order to spell out the positions of non-eschatological thinkers. In chapter 4, which deals with the Sayings Gospel 0, J S Kloppenborg's research on the stratification of the Jesus tradition in 0 is considered. The findings indicate that no apocalyptic traits are apparent in the first layer of 0, the layer closest to the historical Jesus. The research shows that these findings form the basis for doubting the traditional ethicists' position that Jesus' ethics is apocalyptically-eschatologically grounded. An altemative perspective in place of the apocalyptical-eschatological one is suggested. Jesus' reference to the Kingdom of God is understood as referring to an altemative lifestyle in the here and now of the life of Jesus' followers. In chapter 6, it is argued that there may indeed be an eschatological perspective in Jesus' teachings, but that this would be an ethical-eschatological perspective. What this might entail is articulated with reference to the insights of J S Kloppenborg, J D Crossan and R A Horsley. In chapter 7, the study concludes with an exegetical discussion of two passages from 0, viz. 0 13:18-19 (the parable of the mustard seed) and 0 7:18-20,31-35 (the metaphorical discourse about the children on the market square, ensuing from an enquiry by John the Baptist) in order to indicate how these sayings of Jesus may be read ethically-eschatologically. In the last chapter the insights derived from this study are applied to the present-day situation of the church by describing Jesus' ethics as subversive wisdom which challenges many conventional practices. / Thesis (DD (New Testament Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / New Testament Studies / unrestricted

The thesis explores the subject of purgatory and its relative value for modern people. It summarises: 1. The manner in which biblical texts used to underpin the doctrine; 2. The history of the doctrine within the Roman Catholic Church and the reaction to it during the Reformation and beyond; and 3. Contemporary formulations of purgatory and purgatory-like ideas. The thesis argues, from several perspectives, that a modern formulation of the doctrine is: 1. Reasonable; 2. Biblically consistent; 3. Meets the criteria of an established Tradition at practice within the Church; and 4. Is capable of assisting people in understanding and appreciating the existential questions of death and the after life. The thesis is approached from the angle of a Legal Counsel presenting an argument for acceptance of the thesis. / SYS THEOLOGY & THEOL ETHICS / MTH (SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY)

This thesis is designed to outline the systematic-theological and theological-historical basis for the Eschatological Gospel of Both Comings of Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha Mashiach). This cohesively combines Jesus‘ First Coming (for redemption, reconciliation and restoration) with His Second Coming (for the Rapture/Resurrection of the Church/Body of Christ and judgment at the Day of the Lord/Yahweh) into the complete salvation of the Church. The historical writings of the Patristic, Ante- and Post-Nicene Fathers are examined to ensure the continuity of this Eschatological Gospel message being communicated through their writings to the Early Church. The remainder of Church history is examined to ensure the Eschatological Gospel continued to be communicated by the Church as a part of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. Then, in keeping with the eschatological prophetic intent of the Parable of the Wheat and Tares (Weeds) in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, of both the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan coexisting and growing until ―the end of the age,‖ the antithesis of the Eschatological Gospel is examined—Satan‘s plan of lies, deception and heresy throughout history, culminating with the explosion of activity since 1948. This satanic plan is described as being not only insidiously deceptive by recruiting converts to the kingdom of darkness in rebellion and opposition to the kingdom of God, but also as preparing the way for the End-time/Last Days‘ ten-nation confederacy to be led by the antichrist. Biblical chronology is used to trace the history of both the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness to the present day. Finally, the ―Signs of the Times‖ in modern history are examined, thereby showing the need for the Eschatological Gospel to be taught in the twenty-first century, especially as the day of the Lord Jesus Christ‘s Parousia rapidly approaches. / Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics / D.Th. (Systematic Theology)

The thesis explores the subject of purgatory and its relative value for modern people. It summarises: 1. The manner in which biblical texts used to underpin the doctrine; 2. The history of the doctrine within the Roman Catholic Church and the reaction to it during the Reformation and beyond; and 3. Contemporary formulations of purgatory and purgatory-like ideas. The thesis argues, from several perspectives, that a modern formulation of the doctrine is: 1. Reasonable; 2. Biblically consistent; 3. Meets the criteria of an established Tradition at practice within the Church; and 4. Is capable of assisting people in understanding and appreciating the existential questions of death and the after life. The thesis is approached from the angle of a Legal Counsel presenting an argument for acceptance of the thesis. / SYS THEOLOGY and THEOL ETHICS / MTH (SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY)

This thesis is designed to outline the systematic-theological and theological-historical basis for the Eschatological Gospel of Both Comings of Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha Mashiach). This cohesively combines Jesus‘ First Coming (for redemption, reconciliation and restoration) with His Second Coming (for the Rapture/Resurrection of the Church/Body of Christ and judgment at the Day of the Lord/Yahweh) into the complete salvation of the Church. The historical writings of the Patristic, Ante- and Post-Nicene Fathers are examined to ensure the continuity of this Eschatological Gospel message being communicated through their writings to the Early Church. The remainder of Church history is examined to ensure the Eschatological Gospel continued to be communicated by the Church as a part of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. Then, in keeping with the eschatological prophetic intent of the Parable of the Wheat and Tares (Weeds) in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, of both the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan coexisting and growing until ―the end of the age,‖ the antithesis of the Eschatological Gospel is examined—Satan‘s plan of lies, deception and heresy throughout history, culminating with the explosion of activity since 1948. This satanic plan is described as being not only insidiously deceptive by recruiting converts to the kingdom of darkness in rebellion and opposition to the kingdom of God, but also as preparing the way for the End-time/Last Days‘ ten-nation confederacy to be led by the antichrist. Biblical chronology is used to trace the history of both the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness to the present day. Finally, the ―Signs of the Times‖ in modern history are examined, thereby showing the need for the Eschatological Gospel to be taught in the twenty-first century, especially as the day of the Lord Jesus Christ‘s Parousia rapidly approaches. / Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics / D.Th. (Systematic Theology)

Through a critical-functional, rather than literal, reading of the text of Revelation, this dissertation hypothesises a move beyond the paralysing constant reduction of hermeneutic meaning to two conventional poles when discussing hope – the early Christian movement’s hope through reversal, and contemporary nihilism. In order to do so in a responsible manner, it is necessary to study other research done on the topics of eschatology and hope – especially as seen in the book of Revelation. For this reason, the most popular and representative scholars of the Book of Revelation are studied. This overall look at current scholarships' views regarding the Apocalypse will help detect any possible missing elements in our approach to Revelation. But no study of this topic can be considered near complete if other disciplines are not involved; in this case especially when moving on to a critical-functional reading of Revelation. This thesis thus features an exploratory study of the functioning of ritual and hope within the human psyche; from archaeological to psychological perspectives. This emphasises the importance of, and leads into, the possibilities of a functional reading of the Book of Revelation. All of the above work leads to a re-evaluation of the success of hope as metanarrative for today. The suggestion is that Christian hope is not imaginary, but is irreducibly imaginative. For “reality is never just the world as it exists; it is the world as it is experienced through the lenses of social perception” (Barr 2010:636). / New Testament / D. Th. (New Testament and Early Christian Studies)

Text in German, summaries in English and German / Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht, wie die paulinische Ethik von der Eschatologie bestimmtwird. Ausgehend von einer Untersuchung der hellenistisch-römischen Jenseitserwartung und ihren (möglichen) ethischen Implikationen werden der 1. Thessalonicherbrief, der1. Korintherbrief und der Römerbrief hinsichtlichdesVerhältnisses von Ethik und Eschatologie analysiert. Durch Bestimmung und Zuordnung eschatologischer Einzelmotive zu ethischen Weisungen wird die These erhoben, dass eschatologische Motive primär der Begründung exklusivethischer Mahnungen dienen, wenngleich sie auch bei inklusiv-ethischen Themen zum Einsatz kommen.Zugleich zeichnet sich ab, dass das (von Paulus charakterisierte)ethisch-moralische Versagen und die Hoffnungslosigkeit der Heiden sowie die Hoffnung und der ethische Anspruch an Christen in Korrelation zueinander stehen. / This thesis examines how Paul’s ethical teaching is determined by his eschatology. Based on a survey of Hellenistic-Roman expectations regarding the hereafter and their potential ethical implications, this study examines 1 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians and Romans in order to understand the relation between ethics and eschatology. By identifying and matching individual eschatological motifs with ethical directives the thesis proposed that eschatological motifs are primarily utilized as the foundation for exclusive ethical exhortations, although they also appear in the context of inclusive ethical issues. At the same time, it becomes clear that the moral-ethical depravity and hopelessness of the Gentiles (as they are characterised by Paul) as well as hope and the ethical demands on Christians on stand in correlation with each other / New Testament / D. Th. (New Testament)

The study commenced by identifying a theological problem relating to the lack of understanding regarding grass-roots African Pentecostal healing praxis. The empirical-theological approach of Van der Ven was utilised, therefore, to study the healing praxis of an African Pentecostal body, called: The Group‘ Assemblies of God, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Van der Ven‘s original framework was developed by drawing on the hermeneutic and methodological work of Cartledge. A case study was undertaken on a Group‘ Assembly in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The use of social scientific techniques produced a wide range of results that point to the church‘s ministry of healing as a process, rooted in the Trinity, that can occur through varied channels. These pathways ended in a broad understanding of healing. A dialogue between the qualitative results and the healing literature was used to develop a more precise theological question. Case study categories were conceptualised and then operationalised as a questionnaire. A survey was performed on all Assemblies affiliated to The Group‘ Assemblies of God in KwaZulu-Natal. A significant number of people participated in the survey which produced a wide range of data. It is found that worldview and charismatic experience form an important hermeneutic axis that influences attitudes towards the healing ministry. Conservative biblical belief, ethnicity, education and gender influence attitudes towards healing. A distinct divide exists between positive attitudes towards physical, spiritual, inner healing and deliverance and more negative attitudes towards social and environmental healing. The reflection on these results focuses on the perceived influence of American dispensational fundamentalism. The eschatology formed from these beliefs has a narrowing effect on holistic healing ministry. Moltmann‘s transformational eschatology is suggested, therefore, as a suitable alternative. The methodological evaluation finds that several problems exist with regard to research in a rural African location. The cycle concludes by offering a range of suggestions for further study. / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

The study commenced by identifying a theological problem relating to the lack of understanding regarding grass-roots African Pentecostal healing praxis. The empirical-theological approach of Van der Ven was utilised, therefore, to study the healing praxis of an African Pentecostal body, called: The Group‘ Assemblies of God, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Van der Ven‘s original framework was developed by drawing on the hermeneutic and methodological work of Cartledge. A case study was undertaken on a Group‘ Assembly in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The use of social scientific techniques produced a wide range of results that point to the church‘s ministry of healing as a process, rooted in the Trinity, that can occur through varied channels. These pathways ended in a broad understanding of healing. A dialogue between the qualitative results and the healing literature was used to develop a more precise theological question. Case study categories were conceptualised and then operationalised as a questionnaire. A survey was performed on all Assemblies affiliated to The Group‘ Assemblies of God in KwaZulu-Natal. A significant number of people participated in the survey which produced a wide range of data. It is found that worldview and charismatic experience form an important hermeneutic axis that influences attitudes towards the healing ministry. Conservative biblical belief, ethnicity, education and gender influence attitudes towards healing. A distinct divide exists between positive attitudes towards physical, spiritual, inner healing and deliverance and more negative attitudes towards social and environmental healing. The reflection on these results focuses on the perceived influence of American dispensational fundamentalism. The eschatology formed from these beliefs has a narrowing effect on holistic healing ministry. Moltmann‘s transformational eschatology is suggested, therefore, as a suitable alternative. The methodological evaluation finds that several problems exist with regard to research in a rural African location. The cycle concludes by offering a range of suggestions for further study. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)